April 20, 2010 Town Board Meeting

The Board unanimoulsy voted to hire Marvin & Co. to perform a town audit. Supervisor Runion said since the Town had received substantial federal money in 2009 for ice storm relief the federal government required an audit of town funds. The fee is $15,700.00 for the Town audit and $3,250.00 for a Section 8 Housing Audit, which is also required.

The Board voted to release about $2.7 million from a town fund to the state Department of Transportation for the Northern Corridor Flyover Bridge, the bridge goes over I-87 and exits into the Crossgates Ring Road. The money had been collected since 2000.
The agreement, which dates from the 1990’s, stated that the State maintain the bridge and the Town would collect 10 payments of $230,000 each year.

April 6, 2010 Town Board Meeting

The Board voted 5-0 to set a public hearing on a package of proposals by a zoning review committee to change some aspects of the town's zoning code.

One recommendation involving home businesses received the most attention. Councilman Grimm said he believed any home business owner who meets conditions outlined in the code that ensure he/she is not bothering any neighbors, should not be required to get a permit. The new proposal would put in place a three-tier permit system for home businesses.

The Board also voted to set May 4th as a public hearing date for a proposal to establish drainage districts. Concerns were raised about the creation of a new layer of government and a new tax.

March 16, 2010 Town Board Meeting

The Guilderland Hamlet Neighborhood Master Plan was presented to the Board by Mike Welti of John Behan & Associates. Residents there have concerns about lack of sidewalks, truck traffic, and speeding. Discussion about the feasibility of a roundabout at Rt 146 and School Rd was discussed.

The Board went into Executive Session to discuss an item concerning the PBA contract negotiations. Councilman Grimm expressed concern the agenda item was added at the last minute.

The Board unanimously approved the request of the State Farm Utility Corp. to borrow money from a commercial lender to do an engineering study on a private sewer system at Presidential Estates. Homeowners are behind the move because of longstanding sewer problems there.

March 2, 2010 Town Board Meeting

The Board unanimously authorized a $7,900 payment to prepare an application to the DEC to allow the town to remove sludge from the town’s water supply and reuse it as soil in construction projects.

If approved by the DEC, 100 tons of alum sludge from the town’s water treatment plant could be removed at a cheaper price, and in a more environmentally sound way.

The town’s water department now adds a chemical (alum) to the town’s water supply to filter dirt out of town water. The town disposes the sludge created at the Colonie landfill for $41.50 per ton.

The plan is to combine the sludge with other soil and reuse it as a “beneficial reuse."

Water Supt. Bill West says cost can probably be reduced by as much as $31.50 per ton or an overall 70 percent savings per ton.

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The Board unanimously approved a resolution opposing the closing of Thacher State Park.

Councilman Grimm said, "it is hard to believe there is no money available to keep our parks open given the proposed state budget is $134-billion. Our parks are one of the few government entities all citizens get to enjoy. We should all speak up to protect them.”

Though Thacher Park is not in Guilderland, it provides recreational, scenic, educational and economic benefits to Guilderland residents and businesses.

February 2, 2010 Town Board Meeting

The Board unanimously approved setting aside 191 acres of town land to be managed by the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. The dedication did not transfer ownership but provided the Preserve Commission the authority to have management, custody, and control, including the authority to perform fire management and other habitat management.

Councilman Grimm's motion to have the town approved a less costly alternative for a town appraisal for a property in litigation was voted down, 3-2. Board Democrats preferred a more costly alternative.

Supervisor Runion abruptly adjourned the meeting during discussion on the appraisal.

January 19, 2010 Town Board Meeting

Due to insufficient information, two board members (Redlich and Grimm) abstained on a motion to approve a $5,000 appraisal fee for the Metro Diner. The motion failed. The next board meeting would present another opportunity for the board to act on the appraisal proposal or an alternative one.

Ken Brownell was unanimously appointed the new chair of the zoning review committee. He said he hoped to bring the town's zoning code "into the 21st century."

January 1, 2010 Town Board Meeting

In its organizational meeting, the Board unanimously approved 25 of 27 appointments. Councilmen Grimm and Redlich cast no votes on two appointments:
1-Paul Caputo to the Planning Board.
Mr. Caputo is chairman of Albany County Independence Party who oversees the endorsements for Guilderland town candidates. This conflict involving taxpayer money (Caputo receives $4,850 a year for the planning board) made a no vote necessary.
2- Richard Sherwood as Town Attorney
Mr. Sherwood has refused to answer questions from town board members. A chief responsibility of the town attorney is to respond to inquiries from town board members.

Thanks to the entire group of appointees for their service.